All Is Lost (2013)

IMDB

All Is Lost (2013): Lone sailor faces death. Gutsy minimalist script. Redford shows grit, not much else. More plodding than exciting. B-

The Myths of the Myths of Climate Change

According to his biography, Thomas Donelson is chairman of "Americas PAC," a PAC that specializes in expanding the free market conservative coalition. He has been involved in conservative Republican politics for the last three decades. There's nothing in his bio that indicates any scientific background or expertise, or for that matter, any connection to Texas, but that doesn't stop something called "Texas GOP Vote" from publishing Donelson's article on climate change titled "The Mythology of Climate Change."

After the jump, an examination of the so-called "myths." No ridicule. No snark. Just straight talk.

Beauty and the Beast at PHS

Beauty and the Beast at PHS: Lavish sets, beautiful voices, funny enchanted objects, enthusiastic chorus and wolves to give you nightmares.

HS Basketball: Neither Snow nor Rain...

From 2014 02 07 Richardson vs Berkner

Snow on the ground and sleet in the air caused cancellation of many events across north Texas Friday, but these basketballers had a game awaiting them, a game for the ages. In triple overtime, the Richardson Eagles defeated the Berkner Rams 100-97 Friday night at the Berkner gym.

With the win, the Eagles (10-3) preserve a chance at sharing the district championship with the Rams (11-2) depending on the outcome of the two teams' final district games next Tuesday night. The Rams' record assures them of at least a share of the championship. But that's next week. For now, this triple overtime thriller is one to savor a little longer.

More photos after the jump.

Midwinter at the Richardson Civic Center

Brrrr. But just try calling someone in Wisconsin and see what kind of sympathy you get for our cold weather.

S2L77: Venice

From 1977 05 02 Italy

Well out of Asia and deep into Europe, we're moving fast now. A different city every day. Today, it's Venice. Enjoy.

More photos after the jump.

Skyline Women at RHS: Basketball at its Finest

From 2014 02 04 Skyline vs Richardson women

It was the last game of the District 9-5A season. It was also the game of the year. The two teams had a combined district record of 21-1. The outcome would determine the district championship. The crowd was large and boisterous. The players talented and scrappy. It was basketball at its finest.

Three weeks ago, when these same two teams met, the Richardson women's basketball team handed Skyline their first defeat in district play in 134 games. But Tuesday night, in the rematch at the RHS gym, Skyline prevailed 58-52. Richardson lost the game, but still ended up winning a share of the district championship with Skyline, both with 11-1 records. Thanks for the great season, Eagles and Raiders.

More photos after the jump.

CAFR Rebounds

For city finance wonks, Christmas comes twice a year: once in August when the city budget is set and again in February when the city financial audit is published. The budget specifies the city's cash flow (its planned revenues and expenses). The financial audit details the city's assets (the value of city property, bank accounts, etc.) and its liabilities (outstanding debt, pension obligations, etc.).

After the jump, a quick look at this year's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

OTBR: Mile-wide Floodplain of the Mississippi

Latitude: N 39° 29.976
Longitude: W 091° 02.382

A child on a road trip with his family asks, "Where are we?" and the father answers, "Let's check the map. We're off the blue roads [the Interstate Highways marked in blue on the road atlas]. We're off the red roads [the US and state highways]. We're off the black roads [the county highways]. I think we're off the map altogether." It was always my dream to be off the map altogether.

After the jump, a few of the random places (and I mean random literally) that I visited vicariously last month that are "off the blue roads".

Repeat Tweets: High School Basketball

Repeat tweets from January, 2014:

• Jan 3 2014: High school men's basketball final: Richardson 75, Lake Highlands 64. #txhshoops
  
• Jan 6 2014: Star Trek Into Darkness (2013): Starships swim, garbage trucks fly, Kirk struts. Safe, formulaic, campy, non-stop bloodless violence. C+
  
• Jan 6 2014: Headline: "US marks 4 straight years of slowing health costs." @SenTedCruz repeats his cry for #FullRepeal #wacko
  
• Jan 6 2014: Headline: "Health care shrunk as a percent of GDP for the first time since 1997." @SenTedCruz repeats his cry for #FullRepeal #wacko
  
• Jan 6 2014: MT @SenTedCruz: "I cannot support Janet Yellen's nomination to serve as Chairman of the Federal Reserve." This is news? Why? #Obstruction
  
• Jan 6 2014: MT @SenTedCruz: "Federal judge, nominated by President Obama, finds Chicago's handgun sales ban unconstitutional." Judicial activism.
  

After the jump, more repeat tweets.